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Where is Tulum?

Mexico

Where is Tulum? Tulum is basically a Mayan site of the Pre-Columbian walled city that served as a major port for the ancient city of Coba. Tulum is located along to the east coast of Yucatan Peninsula and on the Caribbean Sea. The site is situated in the State of Quintana Roo, the southeastern state of Mexico. Quintana Roo is bordered by states Campeche and Yucatan to the west and northwest, Corozal and Orange Walk districts of Belize with an offshore border with Belize district are to its south, while the coastline of the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico are towards the east and north respectively.

Quintana Roo is home to many ancient Maya ruins, including the Chacchoben, Coba, Kohunlich, Muyil, Tulum, Xel-Ha, and Xcaret. Today, the ruins of Tulum are located just 27 miles southeast of Coba, and it is the most well preserved coastal Maya sites in the world.

Where is Tulum in history? Tulum is one of the oldest sites of civilization in the world, with the earliest scriptures dating back to 564 AD. Then known as Zama, meaning the City of Dawn, Tulum was first mentioned by a member of the Spanish expedition of Juan de Grijalva in 1518. Tulum was occupied by the Spanish up until the early 16th century, after which the site was completely abandoned.

Tulum as a city was constructed between 1200 and 1450, and is 12 meters above sea level. The city managed to survive Spanish settlement, but Old World diseases caused much of the city to be abandoned. Despite that the site and ruins are well preserved, and has architectural that is typical to Mayan sites along the Yucatan Peninsula. In recent years Tulum has become a popular tourist destination thanks to increased accessibility, hotel and hospitality services located within close proximity, and the beautiful setting.

Tulum has various ruins that get to show the true beauty of Mayan culture. The Temple of the Frescos, for example, is one of the best preserved Maya structures in Mexico. The Templo Dios del Viento, the God of Winds Temple, is a another popular site facing the sea that accounts for scenic views. The tourist areas in Tulum are basically divided into the archeological site, the town, the hotel zone, and the Sian Ka’an biosphere reserve. Tulum today is recognized as the third most visited archeological site in Mexico, after only Teotihuacan and Chicen Itza.